Chapter 13

           WHENIGETtotheRegentHotel,Marla’sinthelobbywearingabathrobe. Marlacalledmeatworkandasked,wouldIskipthegymandthelibrary orthelaundryorwhateverIhadplannedafterworkandcomeseeher,instead. 

           ThisiswhyMarlacalled,becauseshehatesme. 

           Shedoesn’tsayathingabouthercollagentrustfund. 

           WhatMarlasaysis,wouldIdoherafavor? Marlawaslyinginbedthisafternoon. MarlalivesonthemealsthatMealsonWheelsdeliversforherneighborswhoaredead; Marlaacceptsthemealsandsaysthey’reasleep. Longstoryshort,thisafternoonMarlawasjustlyinginbed,waitingfortheMealsonWheelsdeliverybetweennoonandtwo. Marlahasn’thadhealthinsuranceforacoupleyearssoshe’sstoppedlooking, butthismorningshelooksandthereseemedtobealumpandthenodesunderherarm nearthelumpwerehardandtenderatthesametimeandshecouldn’ttellanyoneshelovesbecauseshedoesn’twanttoscarethem andshecan’taffordtoseeadoctorifthisisnothing, butsheneededtotalktosomeoneandsomeoneelseneededtolook. 

           ThecolorofMarla’sbrowneyesislikeananimalthat’sbeenheatedinafurnaceanddroppedintocoldwater. Theycallthatvulcanizedorgalvanizedortempered. 

           Marlasaysshe’llforgivethecollagenthingifI’llhelpherlook. 

           Ifigureshedoesn’tcallTylerbecauseshedoesn’twanttoscarehim. I’mneutralinherbook,Ioweher.